Addressing-machine.



No. 888,343. PATENTED MAY 19 B. S. MOLYNEUX.

ADDRESSING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

mwe'sfe's I I l No. 888,343. u PATENTBD MAY 19, 1908. B. S. MOLYNBUX.

ADDRESSING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 31, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

vUNITED STATES PATENT oEEroE.

BARTON S. MOLYNEUX, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO MOLYNEUXAUTO-MAILING MACHINE COMPANY, OF PIERRE, SOUTH DAKOTA, A CORPORATION OFSOUTH DAKOTA.

ADDRESSING-MACBINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1908.

Application filed May 31, 1904. Serial No. 210,383.

To all whom it may Concern:

Be it known that I, BARTON S. MOLYNEUX,

l a citizen of the yUnited States, residing at tion, which enables theaddressin posed of a lower fixed jaw Buffalo,l in the county of Erie andState of New York, have invented new and useful Iin rovements inAddressing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for addressing articles such asnewspapers, magazines &c.

The object of this invention is the production of an addressing machinefor this. purpose em loying disconnected address stencils whic is simpleand durable in construto e effected ra idly and at com arative y smallcost and w ich automatica] y separates the stencils of the activesubscribers from those whose subscriptions have expired.

In the accompanying drawings consisting of 2 sheets: Figurel is afragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved addressingmachine. Fig. 2 is a plan view of one of the stencils which is used in'addressing the articles. Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary longitudinalsections, on an enlarged scale, in lines 3-3 and 4-4, Fig. 6. Fig. 5 isa fragmentary horizontal section in line 5-5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a topplan view of the stencil carrying and brushing device and connectingparts. Fig. 7 is a bottom plan view of the saine. Figs. 8 and 9 arefragmentaryV vertical cross sections in lines 8-8 and 9-9, Fig. 1; Fig.10 is a cross section, on an enlarged scale, in line 10-10, Fig. 9. Fig.11 is a fragmentary sectional view of the stencil retaining frame. Fi 12is a horizontal section, `on an enlarge scale, in line 12--12, Fig. 8.Fig. 18 is across section, on'an enlarged scale, showing the means fordetaching the stencil from the carrying device. n

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views.

The articles which are intended to receive different addresses may be`of various kinds and presented successively to the addressing mechanismb a supporting mechanism of any suitable ind. The machine shown in thedrawings is designed more particularly for placing the addresses ofsubscribers on magazines, newspapers land similar at articles A whichhave been previously inclosed in awrapper a. Each of these wrapped'articles is supported by a clam or ho er com-i and an upper pile.movable jaw B1, the latter having a recess b at its front end ofsufficient size to expose that part of the top of the wrapper which isintended to receive the address. A plurality ofthese holders is mountedon a verticallymovable carrier consisting preferably of an endless chainC which latter may be operated in any desired manner for presenting thenewspapers in its holders successively to the addressing mechanism. Apresenting mechanism suitable for this pur ose is shown and described inan application or atent filed by myselfJanuary22,1903,Seria1 0.140,172.

The address is a plied to each article to be mailed by means o a stencilD bearing a erforated address over whichink is brus ed after the stencilis applied to the article as is commonly practiced in stenciling. Thisstencil is strip or' s eet of waterroof and insulating materiall such asparalffned or oiled paper which is light, thin and durable and permitsof being used repeatedly without becoming unduly7 worn. The erforatedaddress is place lengthwise in t e center of this strip so as to leave aplain margin on thesame, as shown in Fig. 2, for use in holding thestencil while being carried from the supply stack to the article to beaddressed and from the latter to the delivery mechanism. The stencils(preparatory to being used are stacked or within a casing or magazine Ehavin an opentop to erniit the stencils to be fe off successively om thetop of the stack in a horizontal osition.

The stack 1s moved upwardl in the same measure as the stencils are feoff from the top thereof for the top of the stack in its ro er positionrelatively to the feeding-oil' evice. This elevating mechanism may bevariously contructed, that shown in the drawings consist.- ingessentially of a table, follower or platform e, and a rotary uprightscrew shaft e1. The rear side of the stack casing is open and providedWith two inwardly-projecting vertical flanges e2 which engage the endsof the stack and confine the same within the casing. The table e isinsertedl in the casing through the open rear sideI thereof and providedwith an arm e3 having a sleeve F which embraces the screw shaft. Thissleeve carries a screw nut section f which is movable laterali in asocket f1 in the sleeve and normall eld in. engagement with the threadof t e screw purpose of keeping the whereby the same may be Withdrawnfrom the thread of the screw shaft for ermitting l the table to beshiftede quickly re atively to thescrew shaft when adjusting a new lotof stencils to the feeding-on" device. At its uper and lower ends thescrew shaitv is pro vided with reduced orcontracted lain portions e4,e5. The sleeve has its bore constructed 'of substantially the samediameter as the central large threaded part of the shaft so as to it thesame comparatively snug. @n that side of the sleeve opposite the nutsection the same is .provided with a laterally o ening slot f* which isequal in width to t e diameter of the reduced portions ci the screwshaft, For connectin the table with the screw shaft the slotte ortion ofits sleeve is rst sli ped over the ower contracted part e5 of the shaftand then moved upwardly so that the bore of the sleeve engages with theenlarged or threadedportion thereof in which position it is retaine bythe spring pressed nut section. The table remains in its coupledposition with the screw shaft andis raised thereby the new lot bearsagainst the underside o the table above carrying the lot which is nearlyexhausted. The u per table can now bewithdrawn rearwar ly from betweenthe u pper and' lower sleeve ma also e detached from the upper contracteortion of the shaft by slipping the' sleeve thereof off from the upperpart of the shaft this being possible'by means of the slot in thesleeve. ln this manner the supply of stencils can be replenished at thebottom'of the stack without interfering with those at the'top thereof,thereby permitting the machine to be run without interruption,

The screw shaft elgmay be actuated by any suitable means but'ispreferably rotated intermittently from a main horizontal shaft G in theupper partof the machine by' means of a ratchet wheel g applied to thelower end of the screw shaft, a ratchet arm g1 -provided with a pawl g2engaging with-the teeth of the ratchet wheel, an `upright shaft 3rovided withva crank gl at its lower end w ic is connected by a rod g5with the ratchet arm, a

b evel gears g7 with the uprig 'shaft and alielt g8 passingaroundpulleys g", gm on the main and the intermediate shafts, as shown arts"of the stack and its pconnected t air exhausting Y device.

essere The stencils are carried successively from the to of the sup lystack to the article to be adr ressed and t ven to the delivery mech- Aanism by means of a carrying or feedingdevice. This feedingdevice comrises 'preferably a pneumatic gri er whic consists essentially of aU-sha e ame having a hollour cross bar h; two ollow arms h1 pro'ectinghorizontally forward and ldownwardl jecting suction cups h2 arranged onthe ends of the arms and having their cavities con' nected by theconduit formed in the cross bar and arms of the Jframe. This gripper isreciprocated horizontally so that its suction cups pass from the top ofthe sup ly stack to the article holders infront of t e same and thenback again to the supply stack.

lllVhile the suction Vcups of the gripper are ried away from the articleholder to the de- Y.

livery mechanism. T hisdelivery mechanism is .preferably located betweenthe supply` stack and the path of the article holders,v as shown in Fig.1 of the drawmgs.' When the' stencil on its return movement with theipper reaches the delivery mechanism the interior of the suction cups isdisconnected from the air exhausting device and connected with theatmosphere, thereby venting the cups or breaking the vacuum thereinwhich releases the stencil and permits the same t dro upon the deliverymechanism.

T e means for alternately connecting the suction cups with the exhaustindevice and, the atmos here consists preierab y of a valve I mounte onthe ipper frame and having its rotary vertical iigi provided with opositely rejecting arms or tappets il, i2 which are a apted to engagerespectively with a fixed stop i3 and a yielding stop or latch i4. Atthe end of the backward movement of the 'pper its suction ta et t" en aes the sto Viflhnd turnsI the valvpepplug ingtlgiedirectioii forconnecting the gripper conduit with a port j leading to the eye of a fanJ' or other exhausting or suction device, causing the stencil to bedrawn against the gripper which latter at this time is over the sup lystack. During the forward movement' of thle ripper the opposite tappeti2 of the valve p ug eh gages the latch t4 and deflects the same, sothat the. position of the valve is not disturbed during its forwardmovement in which it confnectsthesuction cups of the gripper with theWhen the. stencil during itsreturn movement with the gripper reaches aposition over the delivery mechanism, the venting tappeti3 of the valve'en in and the front end of the inner sectiomasl and that of the valveplug may be limite 'ote lpart of the return or backward movement of thegripper its suction tappet engages he fixed sto i3 and is turned therebyin the direction or connecting the gripper conduit vwith the exhaustdevice, as shown by dottedv lines in'Fig. 6. f

The oscillating movement of the tapcpts Y any suitable means, forinstance, bv a stop jg arranged on the exterior of the valve casing ifiposition to be engaged alternately by the tappets of the valve p u Thelatch 1s pivto turn horizontal y and held with its free end or shoulderin the path of the venting tap et by `means of a spring '3,' themovement in t is direction being limited by a sto 7'4 which is engagedby a tail on the latch. 'libe latter 'together with the stops may besupported upon any suitable stationary part of the machine, forinstance, on across bar or plate j arranged above the gripper. Thesuction port of the gripper Valve may be movably connected with theairexhausting device, the preferred meahs for this urpose consisting ofa iiexible tube j?. e preferrea means for horizontally reciprocating thegripper between the stencil sup ly stack and the article holder is shownin t e .drawin s and is constructed as follows:

k1 re resent the two sections of a telescopic ro the tubular outersection k of which is connected at its front end`to the rear part of theripper while the inner section k1 slides at its ront end in the outersection and is connected at its rear end to the lower end of anon-extensible rock arm L. The latter .is pivoted at its upper end onthe main frame and may'beoscillated by` any suitable means, forinstance, by an eccentric Z arranged on the main driving shaft andhaving its surrounding strap connected by-a pitman Z1 with .the rocka'rm. The sections of the gripper shifting rod are yieldingly held in anextended position by means o in the tubular outer section and bearing atits ends against the bottom of the bore thereshown in 1. The extensionof these sections relatively to each other'is limited by meansof a pink3 arranged on the inner rod section and engaging with the rear end of alongitudinal slot f* formed in the outer section. Durin the main part ofthe forward movement o 'the shifting rodunder the ac-l As the gri percontinues its back' a spring k2 arrangedA tion of the eccentric, thesections of the same remain distended and operate as though the rod wereconstructed of one piece. When the stencil during its forward .movementwith the gripper and rod has reached the proper position over thearticle in the holder, the continued forward movement thereof isarrested while the ositively moving actuating mechanism coinplletes itsstroke in that direction. The stop device for this purpose may bevariously constructed but consists preferably of an adjusting screw Z2arranged in a lug on the tubular section of the rod and adapted toengage with a stop Z3 arranged on the main frame. As the rear section ofthe reciprocating rod completes its forward` movement under theaction-of the eccentric, the gripper is not affected thereby and onlyresu ts in compressing the spring k2. During the subsequf it backwardmovement of the front rod section under the action of the eccentric, thesame moves independent of the rear' section and the stencil carryinggrip er until the pin k3 again en ages the rear en( of the slot lc*after which t e arts again' move backwardly together up to t 1e rear endof the stroke. By this elastic or slack connection between the grip 4erand its actuating mechanism it is possi le to employ an actuatin devicesuch as an eccentric the throw o which is always constant, positiveandsmooth and ermits of accurately adjusting the point at which thestencil is arrested during its forward movement for properly applyingthe address to the article. in the holder. This slack connection betweenthe gri per and its actuating mechanism also furnisiies a period ofr/est at the front end of the stroke of the grip er duringwhich periodthe stencil is a l'ed) to the article in theholder and the agressthereof brushed upon the'article.

During the horizontally-reciprocating movement of the gripper, the sameis elevated slightly above the to of the supply stack, the article inthe ho derl and the delivery mechanism so as to avoid interferencetherewith. For this purpose lthe front section of the carrying' rod ispivotallyliconnected with the u per part of the frame by an extensibleor teliscopic rock arm or link M, the upper tubular section m of whichis pivoted 'on the frame while the lower inner section ml is pivoted atits lower end on the gripper rod and is yieldingly connected with theupper section by means of a' spring m2. The upward' movement of thelower arm section relatively to the upper section is limited by. a stopwhich is referably constructed in the form of a cushion so as to avoidjarring between these parts when they come together. This cushionconsists of a rubber washer m3 arranged u on the lowerarm sectionbetween two meta washers m* the lower one of which engages with ashoulder on the lower arm sec,-

gage with the lower end of the upper arm section, as shown in Fig. 1.During the forward and backward movement of the gripper rod, vthe sameis held in its elevated position by the spring m2 the movement in thisdirection being limited by the rubber buffer on the lower arm sectionengaging with the lower end ofthe upper arm section.V The length of thenon-extensible rock arm L and the eXtensible rock arm M in its shortenedcondition is the same so that the gripper and its rod remain in ahorizontal position while traveling backward and forward. When thegripper is. momentarily at rest in its foremost position, the same isdepressed sufficiently to engage the stencil held thereby with thearticle in the adjacent holder and at the same time the address isbrushed through the stencil upon the article, Thel devices whereby thisis accomplished are preferably c Jnstructed as follows.: r

N represents a brush frame of U-shaped construction which is rrangedabovethe gripper frame and pivot lly connectedtherey to at its rear endby a horizontal pin n. The

brush frame is normally held in an elevated 'position relatively to thegripper frame by means of a spring nl interposed between lugs on thebrush and gripper frames, th'e separa- 3o tion of these frames beingregulated by y means ofI a screw fn? which connects these lugs andpasses through the spring for hold- .ing the latter in place.

O represents a rotary inking brush arranged transversely between thesuction cups above the stencil and j ournaled in the front ends of thearms of the brush frame. Normally the lower side-of this brush is heldout of contact with the stencil by the/spring 'nl A 40 which elevatesthe brush frame. lnk may be supplied 4to this brush in any suitable pmanner,` for instance, by means of an ink fountain o1 mounted on thebrush frame and an absorbent pad o2 whereby the ink is delivered throughan openingin the lower part of the fountain upon the periphery of thebrush.

Prepresents a vertically-movable shifting' bar whereby the griper andbrush frames are de ressed. This ar is guided on the main rame above thebrush and gripper frames and provided at its lower end with anenlargement or finger p. Normally this bar is held in an elevatedposition by a spring p1 so that its lower end is above the path of thebrush frame, The shifting bar is so arranged that when thebrush framereaches the front end of its movement it stands underneath the lower endof said bar. While the brush frame is in its foremost position theshifting bar is depressed and engaged with 4'the brush frame causing-thelatter to be moved downwardly. The springnl is sufficiently strongerthan the spring m2 so that the brush and gripper frames are'held rigidlyin a distended position relatively to' each other causing `onto thearticle in the holder.

lthe saine, a retaining frame these frames to move downwardly in thisposition and straining the spring m2 while the shifting bar is effectingthe first part of its downward movement in engagement with the brushframe. After the downward 70 movement of the gripper has been arrestedby engagement of its stencil with the article in the holder the'continued downward movement of the shifting bar overcomes the tensionof the spring nl causing the brush frame t be depressed relatively tothe gripper frame during the last part of the'downward movement of theshifting bar, whereby the brush is engaged with the stencil and brushesthe ink on its periphery through the stencil 30 During the 4 firstportion of the subsequent upward movement of the shifting bar the springnl eX- pands first and raises the brush frame upwardly to the limit ofits adjusting screw and thereafter the gripperframe together with thestencil and other parts connected therewith is elevated by the springm2, thereby raising the stencil from the marked article preparatory tocarrying the `same backwardly to the delivery mechanismf A convenientmeans ,for effecting the downward movement of the shifting bar Pconsists of a rock lever Q pivoted on the mainframe andhaving its frontarm connected with the shifting bar while its rear arm i's engaged by aY rotary cam g on the main shaft, as shown in y Fig. l'. The means shownin the drawings for effecting the rotaryV movement of the inking brushconsists of a belt g1 passing at one end around a pulley q2 on the brushshaft and at its opposite end around a pulley g3 on a Y countershaft Rwhile its intermediate parts pass around idle rollers 4 mounted on thelower part of the telescopic rock arm, and a belt r passing aroundpulleys r1, r2 on the main and countershafts. For r convenience, thecountershaft R serves as a pivot for the r upper sectionof theextensible rock arm M which latter is provided at its upperend with ahub loosely mounted on this shaft,

In order to hold the stencil firmly upon the article and revent the samefrom becoming displaced w ile the brush is o erating upon is providedwhich is constructed to engage only with the marginal portion of thestencil leaving the central part which bears the address exposed andaccessible to the inking brush. The latter moves toward and from thestencilv through the o en central part of the retaining frame. T elatter frame is of substantially the same dimensions as the stencil andits face or underside is flush with the face or edge of the suction cupsso that these parts bear uniformly on the stencil. The retaining framemay be constructed and secured to the grip er frame in any suitablemanner but is pre erably constructed to fit closely 'around the suctioncups and provided with up- 130 preferably provided wit wardly-openingears s which are erforated and clamped between the arms of t e gripperframe and the suction cu s, the cu s being screw t readed Shanks onnipples passing throu h said ears and entering screw threaded soc ets insaid arms, as shown in Fig. 4.

In order to insure the removal of the stencilsl when the same reach thedelivery mechanisin. on their return movement with the gripper, astripping device is provided comrising one or more hook shaped strippersor ngers t arranged in rear of the delivery mechanism and mounted on onearm ofla rock lever T. During the first part of. |the backward movementof the gripper with the stencil, these fingers are in an elevatedposition, as represented in Figs. 8 and 13, so that their upperendsfstand in the' ath of the stencil. When the stencil reac es thekdelivery mechanism its lower or rear edge engages the stripping fingersthe latter being suickly lowered below the path of the estenci retainingframe, .causing t e hooks of the lingers to engage the top of thestencil and forcibly removing the same from the suction cups if thestencils have ,a ltendency to adhere tol the cups. The retaining frameis provided in its rear edge with notches t1 which are in line with thehooks of the strip- .ping fingers and permit these hooks to movedownwardly into engagement with the sten cil. yIn the lowered positionof the stri ping lingers the same are out of the ath of t e re' tainingframe permitting the atter to continue 1t`s rearward movementunobstructed to the stencil supply stack reparatory to lifting the nextstencil from t e same. The

' oscillatinr movement of the stripper lever T ,y is engla ed b ma beeffected in various ways. As shown in t e drawings, this lever is turnedin the direction for lowering the stripping fingers by means of a springt2 while the reverse movement of the lever for raising the strippingfingers is produced by means of an elbowlever ta having one of its armsconnected by a rod with the stripper lever while its op osite arm thesame cam q wh1c actuates the s i tin ar P.

The pre erred form of delivery mechanism for takm(r care of the stencilsas they are discharged 'irom the gripper is constructed as follows: Urepresents a main lower endless belt which has its inner receivingportion arranged horizontally underneath the place where the gripperreleases the stencil while its delivery portion extends laterally to onefrom the gripper. auxiliary belt asses I at opposite ends around areceiving ro ler or pulley ui* arranged above the guide pulley of thelower belt, and a delivery roller or pulley u* arranged above thedelivery roller of the lower belt. When the stencil is released from thegripper itrdrops on the receiving portion of the lower belt and iscarried laterally thereby to the side of the machine where receptaclesare provided for the same, this movement of the stencil being renderedmore positive by means of the auxiliary belt engaging with the top ofthe stencil after reaching' the delivery portion of the main beltwhereby the stencil is firmly gripped between the auxilia tion of themain elt and reliably prope led belt and the delivery orfrom the gripperto the side of the machine.

with the stencil between the same, thereb increasin the hold of itsbelts on the stencil and causlng the latter to be moved forward withcertainty. 'Ihe two belts are caused to -move in unison by means ofintermeshing s gear wheels @i arranged on the shafts of their.

y'delivery pulleys and motion may beim arted I to the same in anysuitable manner, or instance, by connecting the lon itudinal shaft gwiththe shaft of the u per de ivery roller u".

If desired, the stenci s may be discharged from the carrying belts intoa receptacle or box of any kind where they are collected until againrequired for addressin a new lot of mail matter to the same list osubscribers. When the machine is intended for addressing newspapers',magazines or similar articles, the subscriptions for which expire at'diHerent times, means are provided for automatically selp arati ng orsorting the stencils of subscribers wiose su scriptions have expiredfrom the stencils of the subscribers whose subscrip tions have notexpired and are stillin force. The means for this purpose is preferablyconstructed as follows: W Wl represent two collecting receptacles orboxes arranged one in front of the other below the discharge ends of thestencil carrying belts. w represents a switch which is pivoted at itslower end between the receiving boxes at the u per ends thereof andcurves upwardly wit its free end to a point near the delivery rollers ofthe carrying belts. When the switch is shifted to the position in whichits free end is below the path of the stencils'asl they are,

ejected from the carrying helts) as shown in Fig. 9, the stencils aredirected y the switch from thebelts into the outer receptacle W whileupon raising the switch so that its free end 'is above the path of thestencils, as

' clined outwardly, as shown in Fig. 9, which lower end of a rod x1.

. tionof this slit bein causes the stencils to stack uniformly upon eachother instead of piling, up promiscuously in the boxes.

The shifting of the switch w is effected automatically by a mechanismwhich is controlled by the stencils. Normally the switch is retained intheposition shown in Fig. 9 by means of a spring w3 connected with theinner arm of a rock lever w4 on the switch shaft. The switch is turnedin the opposite direction for discharging the stencils into the innerbox by means of an electro magnet ws which attraets an armature w on theouter arm of the rock lever. The circuit of the electro magnet containsa battery wl and one of its terminals is formed by the ,main carryingbelt which is constructed of afstrip of sheet metal while the otherterminal is formed by a brush engagin with the upper operative part ofthe main elt. y The brush is constructed in the form of a rollei` whichis pivoted on' the Each ofthe Stencils is provided in its marginalportion with a selecting or sorting slit or perforation al thelocadetermined according to thetime when t e subscription of theparticular subscriber expires. The stencils representing the class ofsubscribers whose subscriptions expire at the same time have theirselecting perforations all arranged in the same longitudinal line orplacebut the stencils of each class of subscribers whose subscriptionsexpire at different times have their selecting erforations arranged indifferent longitu inal lines or places on the stencils. lf therefore thestencil of a subscriber whose subscription is still active is carriedforward between the carrying belts, the brush will be held out ofengagement from the contact belt U during the entire time that thestencil is passing between the same by the solid or unbroken part of theA stencil which acts as an insulator, thereby retaining the'switch w inthe position shown in Fig. 9 in which the active stencil will bedischarged into the vouter box.- If the stencil offan inactivesubscriber whose subscri tion has expired is carried forwardly by thecarrying belts the selectin@ perforation therein will be presented to te brush permitting the latter to pass through the perforation intoengagementwith the contact belt and close the electric circuit of theelectro magnet causing the latter to turn the switch w into the positionshown by dotted lines in Fig. 9 wherebv this stencil will be deliveredinto the inner box which receives the inactive stencils of expired ordiscarded subscriptions. The electric circuit is automatically held openat all times excepting when a stencil is due between the terminals ofthe magnet. This is preferably done by means of a commutator switchcomposed'of a rotary collar y mounted on the main shaft and havingmetallic and insulated sections on its periphery and a brush yl engagingwith the periphery of the collar and mounted on the adjacent part of themain frame. switch is so timed that the circuit is closed at this pointafter the front edge of the stencilhas passed1 underneath the brush andlifted the same from the metal belt U and again opens the circuit beforethe brush passes off the rear end of the stencil. By this means theelectric circuit for energizing the electro magnet will only be closedwhen the stencil of a subscriber whose subscription has expired passeswith its opening underneath the rush in which case the contact brushtouches the metal belt and causes the switch w to be shifted fordirecting the respective stencil into the inner box.

The upper delivery belt U1 is made of insulating material such as cottonor rubber so that the same willnot interfere with the operation of theelectrical detector and the same is narrower than the metallic belt soas to leaveroom on'oppositey sides thereof for exposing the selectingperforations in the stencils. The brush o: is capable of transverseadjustment relatively to the exposed upper surface of the stencils andmetal belt so that the same may be shifted for every run of theaddressing mechanism and pick out or discard the stencils of subscribersWhose subscriptions expire at that particular run. The

vmeans shown in the drawings for effecting 'this' transverse adjustmentof the contact `thls part thereof, whereby the'expired -or inactivestencils will be separated from those that are still active. Assumingthat the class of subscribers whose subscriptions expire during the nextrun have their selecting perforations located as indicated by dottedines in Fig. 2, the brush will be adjusted to trail over the stencilsalong this part of the same. By thus automatically discarding or sortingthe expired from the unexpired subscriptions the expenseof keepingaseparate lrecord for this purpose is elimanated.

ln order to prevent the switch from vimme- This tion shown in dottedlines to that shown inl full lines, Fig. 9, notwithstanding the factthat the circuit at'the brush is again immediately broken b) the solidinsulating portion of the stencil in rear of its selecting perforation.The 0 eration of this dash-pot is so timed that it olds the switch inthis discardin position a suiiicient length of time to permit theinactive stencil to reach the inner or ydiscard box and then resumes itsnormal position in which the stencils ofthe active subscribers aredirected into the outer active box. The side of each gathering box isrovided with a vertical slot Z1 through W 'ch theo erator can observethe piling up of the stencils and'through which the same may be removedfrom time to time and filed away 'for the next run.

In my improved addressing machine, the stencils are lnot provided withindividual retaining frames or holders for keeping them in shape Whilein use this being unnecessary inasmuch as the single retaining framecarried by the gri per serves as a holderor retainer successive y foreach stencil. By this means not only is a great saving in cost e'dectedbut the stencils can also be stored more compactly and a greater numbercan be placed in 'the supply stack at one time thus reducing the amountof attention required of the operator in running the machine.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aplurality of holders for supporting articles to be addressed, a su plydevice for supporting a stack of unuse address stencils, a deliverydevice for receiving the used address stencils, a pneumatic gripper forshifting said stencils, means for moving said gri per successively fromthe supply device to tiie holders, to the delivery device and back tothe supply device, a suction device having an air conduit, and a valvemechanism operating to connect the gripper with the conduit of saidsuctiondevice while the grip er is moving from the supply device to theolders and to the delivery device and to connect said gripper -With theatmos here when the gripper reaches the delivery r. evice and whilemoving the latter to the supply device, substantially as set forth.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aplurality of article holders, a device for supplying unused stencilsarranged iniront of said holders, ardelivery device receivingthe usedstencils and `other tappet and arranged between said holdersand thestencil supplying device, a pneumatic gripper which carries the stencilssuccessively from the supplying device to the holders and deliverydevice, a valve moving with said gripper and capable of connecting saidgripper either with a suction device or withj the atmosphere, tappetsarranged on the stem of said valve, and stops coperating withsaidtappets for moving said plug alternately in opposite directions forreversing the connection of the gripper with the suction device andatmosphere, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aplurality of article holders, a device for supplying unused stencilsarranged in front of said holders, a delivery device receiving the' usedstencils and arranged between said holders and the steneil supplyingdevice, a pneumatic gri per which carries the stencils successively romthe supplying device to the holders and delivery device, a valve movingwith said gripper and capable of connecting said gripper either with asuction device or with the atmos here, tappets projecting from oppositesi es of the stem of said va ve, a stop arrangedto be engaged by one ofsaid tappets for shifting the valve so as to connect the gripper withsaid suction device when the same is over the stencil supply device, anda yielding stop arranged in the ath of the ermitting t e latter to moveforward freey fromthe stencil supplying device to the article holdersbut turning said last mentioned tappet for connecting the gripper withthe atmosphere when the same reaches the delivery device during itsbackward movement,4 substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aplurality of article holders, a device for supplying unused stencilsarranged in front of said holders, a delivery device receiving the usedstencils and arranged between said holders and the stencil supplyingdevice, a lpneumatic gri per which carries the stencils successively romthe supplying device tothe holders and deliveryv device, a valve movingwith said gripper and capable of connecting said gripper either with asuction device or with the atmosphere, tappets projecting from oppositesides of the stem of said valve, a stop arranged to be engaged by one ofsaid tappets for shifting the valve so as to connect the gripper withsaid suction device when the 'same is over the stencil supply device,and a pivoted stop having a shoulder which is normally held by a springin the path of the other tappet and operating to lconnect said grip erwith the atmosphere when the same reac es said delivery device duringthe backward movement of the gripper, substantially as set forth.

5. In a machine of the character described, the combination of aplurality'v of article holders, means for supplying address lstencils, agri per for carrying said stencils from the supp ying device to thearticle holders comprising a hollow cross bar, hollow arms projectingforwardly from said bar, and suction cups arranged on said arms andconcil supplying device, a single pneumatic grip-v nected by the conduitin said barY and arms,

'and an inking device for coperating with said stencils while thegripper is holding the same over said articles, substantially as setforth` '6. In a machine of the character described, the combinationof'an article support, a stenper for carrying vthe stencils from saidsupplying device'to said support, and a single stencil retaining framepermanently connected with said gripper and adapted to bear against thestencils successively, substantially as set forth.

` 7. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for an article to be addressed, vmeans for supplying stencilseach of which has a perforated address'on its central part, a gripperfor carryingthe stencils from said sup ying device to said support, aretaining ame connected with said gripper and constructed to engage onlywith i the margin of the stencils leaving the central address bearingpartthereof unobstructed, and an inking 'brush arranged above theopening in the central part of the retaining frame and adapted tocoperate with-the central part of the stencil carried by the gripper,substantially as set forth.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a supportfor an article to be addressed, means forsupplying stencils each ofwhich has a perforated address on its central part, a gri peroperatingto carry the stencils successive y from said supply means to saidsupport and comprising two suction cups arranged to engage op osite endsof a stencil, and a retaining fiame arranged i around said cups andconstructedto bear against the margin of the stencil leavingthe .centraladdress bearing part thereof unobconstructed to bear against the marginof the stencil and having ears each of which is clamped between one ofsaid cups and the arm to which it is attached,'substantially as setforth. Y

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a suport for the articles to be addressed, means or supplying addressstencils, a gripper operating to carry the stencils successively fromthe supplying means to said support, a stencil'inkingbrush arrangedyabove the gripper, and a-brush frame carrying/said brush and movablysupported on the gripper, substantially as set forth.

11. In a lmachine of the characteridescribed, the combination of a suport for the articles to'be addressed, means or supplying addressstencils, a grip er operating to carry the stencils successive y fromthe su pl ing means to said support, a rotary stenci in ng brusharranged above the gripper, and a brush framejsupporting said brushandvpivoted on the gripper, substantially as set forth.

12. In a machine of the character described, tlie combination of ,asupport for the articles to be addressed, means for supplying addressstencils, a grip er operating tol carry the stencils successive y fromthe supplying means to said support, a stencil inking brush arrangedabove the gripper, a brush frame carrying said brush and movablyconnected with the gripper, andmeans for yieldingly holdin said brushframe in an elevated posi.-

tion re atively to the gripper, substantially as set forth.

13, In a machine of the character described, the combination of a suport for the articles to be addressed, means or supplying stencilseach'lof which has a perforated address in its central art, a gripperoperatingto carry'the stenci s successively fromthe supply means to saidsup ort and compris` ing a U-sha ed carrying ame and suction cups secureto the arms of said frame, a rotary stencil inking brush arrangedbetween the arms of the carrying frame, a U-shaped yshifting framehaving its cross bar pivoted on the cross bar of the lcarryingframewhile its arms pivotally support said brush, a spring for raising saidshifting frame relatively to the carrying frame, and an adjusting screwconnecting`the carrying and shifting frames, substantially as setforth.-

14. In a machine of the charapter described, tlie combination of anarticle support, means for supplying address stencils, a gripper forcarr ing the stencils successively rom said supp ying means to saidsupport,

an actuating member having a positive forward and backward movement, anelastic connectiony between said actuating member and the gripperconstructed to permit the actuating member to continue its forward'movement independent of the gripper, and an adjustable stop for limitingthe forward movement of the gripper, substantially as set forth.

gripper an ticles to be addressed, means for supplying 2o `positiveoscillating movement, a telescopic inner member and projecting through alongitudinal slot in the outer member, and a stop scribed, thecombination of a support for A i gripper fdr carrlying the stencilssuccessively i' ositive oscillating movement, a telescopic connectingrod having one of its members 1 5. In a machine of the ch'aracterdescribed, the combination of an article support, means for supplyingaddress stencils, a

om said supp ying means to said support, l an actuating member havinga'positive forward and backward movement, an elastic connection betweensaid actuating member and the gripper constructed ltopermit theactuating member to move forward indeendent of the'gripper, anadjustable stop or limitin the forward movement of the means for movingsaid gripper perendicularly relatively to its forward imd bac wardmovement, substantially as set forth.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport forwaraddress stencils, a gri per for carryin the stencilsvsuccessively ro'm said supp ying eans to said support, a rock armhaving a connected with the gripper while its other member is connectedwith said rock arm, a spring for extending the members ofl saidconnecting rod, and a stop for limiting the forward movement of thegripper, substantially as set forth.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for the, articles to be addressed, means for supplyingaddressstencils, a gri per f or carryin the stencils successively fromsaid supp ying means to said support, a rockarin having a connecti rodhaving its outer member connected wil'llgh the gripper and its innermember connected with the rock arm, a 's ring interposed between saidmembers an' o erating to distendthe same, a pin arrange on the arrangedon the outer member and adapted to engage a stationary plart of themachine, substantially as set fort 18. In a machine of the characterdearticles to be addressed, means for supplying address stencils, astencil gripper, means for moving said gripper horizontally from thesupply means to said support, and means for moving said grippervertically for engaging the stencil carried thereby with the article tobe addressed, substantially as set forth.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a suport for the articles to be addressed, means or supplying addressstencils, a stencil gripper, a rod supporting said gri per, anon-elastic support for the rear part o said rod, and an elastic supportfor the front part of said rod, substantially as set forth.

'20. In amachine of the character described, the combination of asupport for articles to be addressed, means for supplying addressstencils, a stencil gripper, a rodearrying said gripper, anon-extensible rock arm carrying the rear end of said rod, and anextensible rock arm carrying the front part of said rod, 'substantiallyas set forth.

21. In a machine of the character described, tlie combination of asupport for articles to be addressed, means for supplying addressstencils, a stencil gripper, a rod carrying said gripper, anon-extensible rock arm carrying the rear end of said rod, a telescopicrock arm supporting the front part of said r rod, and a spring operatingto contractthe members of the extensible rock arm, substantially as setforth;

22. In a machine of, the character dethrough the medium of said spring,substantially as set forth.

23. In a machine of the character described, the-combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a vertical magazine forcontaining a stack of stencils, a vertical screw sha-ft having acontracted portion, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and havin bore of thesame diameter as the threa ed portion of said shaft and a laterallyopenin slot als wide as the diameter of the contracte part of the shaft,and a table su porting said stack and connected with sai sleeve,substantially as set forth.

24. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a vertical magazine forcontaining a stack of stencils, a vertical screw shaft having acontracted portion, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and havin a bore ofthe same diameter as the threa ed portion of said shaft and alaterallyppenin slot as wide as the diameter of the contracte Apart ofthe shaft, a screw nut section mounted on said sleeve and en aging withthe thread of the shaft, and a tabe su portin said'stack and connectedwith said s eeve,su stantially as set forth.

25. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for the- A diameter as the large threaded part of saidshaftandalaterall openin slotaswideasthe contracted parts o the sha t, ascrew nut section arranged in a pocket in said sleeve, a spring forholding said nut section in engagement with the thread of the shaft,afinger piece for withdrawing the nut section from said thread, and atable supporting said stack and connected with said sleeve,substantially as set forth.

26. In a machine of the character described, the combination of anupright endless belt, holders arranged on said belt and constructed tosupport the articles to be addressed, means for applying stencils tosaid articles, and a horizontal delivery belt independent of saidcarrier and receiving the stencils from said applying means,substantially as set forth.

27. In av machine of the character described, the combination of anupright endless belt, holders arranged on said belt and constructed tosupport the articles to be addressed, means for apply`ng stencils tosaid articles, and a horizontal delivery belt moving transverselyrelatively to said carrier and adapted to receive the stencilssuccessively from said applying means, substantially as set'forth.

28. In a machine of the character described, the combination of anelectric circuit having a pair of electric switch contacts which arenormally in engagement with each other, a stencil of insulating materialhaving a selecting perforation, means for propelling said stenci betweensaid contacts, and causing the solid parts of the stencil to separatethe contacts. and open the circuit thereof while the selectingperforations permit the contacts to bear against each other and closesaid circuit, a switch for directing the vstencils to different places,and an electroma net arranged in said circuit and control ed by saidcontacts, substantially as set forth.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of anelectric circuit having a pair of electric switch contacts, a stencil ofinsulating material having a selecting perforation, means for pro ellingsaid stencil between said contacts an causing the solid parts of thestencil to se arate the contacts and open the circuit t e-reof while theselecting perforations permit the contacts to bear against each otherand close said circuit, a switch for directing the stencils to differentplaces, an electro-magnet arranged in said clrcuit-and controlled bysaid contacts, and means for adjusting the engaging point of saidcontacts` transversely relativel to the line of movement of the stencilsor adapting the contacts to different locations of said' perforationstransversely of the stencils, substantiall as set forth.

30. In'ia machine of t e character described, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a magazine for holding a stackof address stencils, feeding means for removingthe stencils successivelyfrom the magazine and applyin the 4same to said articles, and a stencilde ivery mechanism comprising a lower Abelt arranged. underneath thepath of said feeding means between the article holders and themagazine,'and an upper belt engaging with the lower belt on one side ofthe path of said feeding means, substantially asset forth.

.31. In a machine of the character del scribed, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a magazine for holding a stackof address stencils, feeding means for removing the stencilssuccessively from the magazine and applyinfr the same to said articles,and a stencil delivery mechanism com rising a lower belt arrangedunderneat the path of said feeding means between the article holders andthe magazine, an upper belt engaging with the lower belt onone side ofthe path o'f said feeding means, and a convex table su porting thecoperating parts of said be ts and producing a deflectionin the same,substantially as set forth.

32. In a machine of the character de'- scribed, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed,a magazine for holding a stackof address stencils which are constructed of insulating material andeach ro- Vided with a selecting perforation, feeding means for removingthe stencils successively from the magazine and applying the same tosaid articles, a delivery mechanism receiving the stencils from saidfeeding means, receptacles for the active and inactive stencils, aswitch for directing the stencils into either of said receptacles, anelectro-magnet operating said switch, and a pair of switch contactswhich form the terminals of the electric circuit containing the electromagnet and which are separated by the solid part of the stencils passingbetween them but permitted to engage eachother through the selectingperforationsthereof, substantially as set forth.

33. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a magazine for holding a stackof address stencils which are constructed of insulating material andeach rovided with a selecting perforation, fee ing means for removingthe stencils successively from the magazine and applying the same tosaid articles, a delivery mechanism receivin the stencils from saidfeeding means anc comprising a metallic belt, receptacles for the activeand inactive stencils, a switch for directin the stencils from said beltinto either o said receptacles, an electro magnet 'for shifting saidswitch, and a brush engagin(y with the operative portion of said beltand formmg With`the latter the terminals of the electric circuitcontaining the electro-magnet, said terminals being separated by thesolid part of the stencils passing between the same and permitted toengage 'through the selecting erforations therein, substantially as setforti.

34. In 'a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport foi` the articles to be addressed, a magazine for holding astack of address stencils which are constructed of insulatin materialand each provided with a selecting perforation, feeding means forremoving the stencils successively from the magazine and applying thesam|e to said articles, a delivery mechanlsm receiving the stencils fromsaid feeding means and comprising a metallic belt, receptacles for theactive and inactive stencils, a switch for directing the stencils fromsaid belt into either of said receptacles, an electro magnet forshifting said switch, a brush engaging with the operative portion. ofsaid belt and forming with the latter the terminals of the electriccircuit containing the electro-magnet, said terminals being separated bythe solid part of the stencils passlng between the same and permitted toengage through the selecting perforations therein, and a commutator forcontrolling the period during which the terminals are effective,substantially as set forth.

35. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a magazine for holding a stackof address stencils, feedin means for removing the stencils successive yfrom said stack and applying the same to said articles, a deliverymechanism which receives the stencils from said feeding mechanism, re-

ceptacles for the active and inactive stencils, a switch for directingthe stencils from the delivery mechanism into either of saidreceptacles, an electro-magnet for shifting said switch in onedirection, a spring for shifting the switch in the other direction, adash-pot for retarding the effect of said spring, and a pair of contactsforming the terminasof the electric circuit. containing the magnet andcontrolled by' the stencils, substantially as set forth.

36. In a machine of the character described, the combination of asupport for the articles to be addressed, a magazine for holding astackof address stencils which are classified and each provided with aselecting perforation, the stencils in each class having theirperforations in the same place and the erforations of the severalclasses being ength'vvise out of line with each other, feeding means forcarrying the stencils successively from the stack to said support, adelivery mechanism receiving the stencils from the feeding mechanism,and an electro-magnetic separating device for separating the stencilsaccordin to their class comprising a lower metallic be t forming part oft e delivery mechanism, a brush engaging with the o erative art of thebelt, and a support on w ich the brush is adjustable transversely of hepath of the stencils, substantially as set ort Witness my hand this 28thday of May,

BARTON S. MOLYNEUX. Witnesses:

THEO. L. Popp, E. M. GrRAHAiiI.

